Unit Block Toy Adapted to Compensate for Slight Size Variations

ABSTRACT

A unit block toy adapted to compensate for slight size variations can have a pair of opposed side walls adapted to be disposed over at least a portion of the unit block, and a gasket disposed on an inside surface of at least one of the pair of opposed side walls, the gasket being adapted to compensate for slight size variations. The gasket can have a concave side and a convex side, the concave side positioned adjacent the inside surface of the adjacent sidewall such that a space is formed between the gasket and the inside surface to permit adjustment for size variations via displacement of the membrane towards the inside surface. A slot can be provided in the inside surface of the side walls in which to dispose the gasket.

BACKGROUND

The unit block toy relates generally to toys mainly for toddler agechildren, and more particularly to a unit block toy that is adapted tocompensate for slight variations in the size of the unit block.

Unit blocks are a building comprised of variously-sized, typicallyhardwood blocks. The blocks are based on a standard set of measurements;the basis of which is the “unit block,” which represents one unit ofmeasure. The standard dimensions of a unit block are 2.5 inches high,1.25 inches deep, and 5 inches wide.

Unit blocks are common, and are produced by a variety of manufacturers,of which Applicant is one such manufacturer. Although the size of everyunit block is supposed to conform to the standard dimensions listedabove, it is not uncommon for there to be slight variations in thedimensions of unit blocks produced by different manufacturers. Thisslight variation is typically due to the lack of any recognized“tolerance” with respect to the aforesaid dimensions. Consequently, thesize of a unit block from different manufacturers not uncommonly variesby as much as 2.5 millimeters in any of the aforesaid dimensions.

Therefore, for a unit block toy as described hereinafter to be utilizedwith unit blocks produced by various manufacturers, there is a need forthe unit block toy to be adapted to compensate for slight variations inthe size of unit blocks.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of a unit block toy adapted to compensate for slight sizevariations can generally comprise a pair of opposed side walls adaptedto be disposed over at least a portion of the unit block, and a gasketdisposed on an inside surface of at least one of the pair of opposedside walls, the gasket adapted to compensate for slight size variationsin the unit block. Generally, the unit block toy can comprise fourrelated parts, each part having a pair of side walls adapted toreleasably engage over top of one corner of a unit block. In the usualcase, one gasket will be provided on the inside surface of each of theopposed side walls, of each of the four related parts of the unit blocktoy.

The gasket can generally comprise a membrane, which can be made from aresilient, flexible plastic, rubber, or other suitable material. Themembrane can have a concave side and a convex side, “dome-shaped,” sidewherein the concave side is positioned adjacent the inside surface ofthe sidewall with which the gasket is associated. In this manner, aspace is formed between the membrane and the adjacent side wall surface,permitting the gasket to compensate for slight size variations in theunit block via displacement of the membrane towards the adjacent surfaceof the side wall. Slits, or cuts, can be provided in the dome-shapedmembrane to facilitate displacement of the membrane towards the surfaceof the side wall with which the gasket is associated.

The unit block toy can further comprise a slot in the inside surface ofthe side walls with which the gasket is associated. The gasket can beretained in the slot, for example by a friction fit, or compression fit.However, the gasket can also be further secured in the slot using, forexample, an adhesive if desired.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certainillustrative aspects of the unit block toy adapted to compensate forslight size variations are described in the following description anddrawing figures. These aspects may be indicative of but a few of thevarious ways in which the principles of the unit block toy adapted tocompensate for slight size variations may be employed, and which isintended to include all such aspects and any equivalents thereof. Otheradvantages and features of the unit block toy adapted to compensate forslight size variations may become apparent from the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the unit block toy adapted tocompensate for slight size variations can be obtained by considering thefollowing description in conjunction with the accompanying drawingsheets, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a unit block toy according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a part according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a gasket according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a part and two gaskets according to thepresent invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective partial view of a unit block toy with a part,two gaskets, and a unit block.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawing figures, embodiments of a unit block toyadapted to compensate for slight size variations are illustrated inFIGS. 1-5. An embodiment of a unit block toy 10 adapted to compensatefor slight size variations can generally comprise a pair of opposed sidewalls 12 adapted to be disposed over at least a portion of the unitblock 14, and a gasket 16 disposed on an inside surface 18 of at leastone of the pair of opposed side walls 12, the gasket 16 adapted tocompensate for slight size variations in the unit block 12. Generally,the unit block toy 10 can comprise four related parts A, B, C, D, eachpart A, B, C, D having a pair of side walls 12 adapted to releasablyengage over top of one corner of a unit block 14. In the usual case, onegasket 16 will be provided on the inside surface 18 of each of theopposed side walls 12, of each of the four related parts A, B, C, D ofthe unit block toy 10.

The gasket 16 can generally comprise a membrane 20, which can be madefrom a resilient, flexible plastic, rubber, or other suitable material.The membrane can have a concave side 22 and a convex side 24,“dome-shaped,” side wherein the concave side 22 is positioned adjacentthe inside surface 18 of the side wall 12 with which the gasket 16 isassociated. In this manner, a space 26 is formed between the membrane 20and the adjacent side wall surface 18, permitting the gasket 16 tocompensate for slight size variations in the unit block 14 viadisplacement of the membrane 20 towards the adjacent surface 18 of theside wall 12. Slits 28, or cuts, can be provided in the dome-shapedmembrane 20 to facilitate displacement of the membrane 20 towards thesurface 18 of the side wall 12 with which the gasket 16 is associated.

The unit block toy 10 can further comprise a slot 30 in the insidesurface 18 of the side walls 12 with which the gasket 16 is associated.The gasket 16 can be retained in the slot 30, for example by a frictionfit, or compression fit. However, the gasket 16 can also be furthersecured in the slot 30 using, for example, an adhesive if desired.

Overview

The unit block toys 10 are proposed to be a series of multi-section toysthat feature molded plastic parts A, B, C, D, or sections, that cliponto wooden classroom unit blocks 14 using the aforesaid gasket 16 tocompensate for slight size variations in the unit blocks 14. The unitblock toy 10 series are contemplated to be thematic, and currentlyproposed to include such themes as farm animals, dinosaurs, and safarianimals. Additional design concepts can include transportation,buildings and people.

A primary feature of the unit block toy 10 is that the parts A, B, C, D,or sections, thereof fit onto existing unit blocks 14. Unit blocks 14are a building toy comprised of variously-sized, typically hardwoodblocks, that are based on a standard set of measurements; the basis ofwhich is the “Unit Block.” A unit block 14 represents one unit ofmeasure, and has standard dimensions of 2.5 inches high by 1.25 inchesdeep by 5 inches wide.

The series may be packaged, for example, as five animals in a set, witheach toy animal comprised of four sections/parts A, B, C, D, e.g., ahead section A, a front leg section B, a rear leg section C, and ahindquarter section D. The different sections/parts A, B, C, D of thetoy animals are contemplated as being interchangeable, meaning thatevery head A of one type of animal could be clipped onto a unit block 14along with the legs B, C and/or hindquarter D of any other type ofanimal. All parts/sections A, B, C, D can be designed and molded on aconsistent axis so that a child can mix and match parts A, B, C, D ofdifferent animals to create unique constructions.

As can be understood from the foregoing, the “fit” of the plasticparts/sections A, B, C, D onto the unit blocks 14 can be an importantaspect of the usability of the unit block toy 10. To that end, theaforesaid gasket 16 is designed to accommodate slight size variations indifferent unit blocks 14. As described above, the gasket 16 can beprovided in a channel or slot 30 on the inside surface 18 of opposingside walls 12 of each section/part A, B, C, D which clip onto the unitblock 14. The gasket 16 can be a slightly raised dome-shaped piece ofplastic with a hollow interior, i.e., a membrane 20 having the concaveand convex sides 22, 24, respectively, described previously. Asdescribed previously, the domed shaped membrane 20 can be scored, orcut, (forming slits or cuts 28) to facilitate the gasket 16 compressingsubstantially flat against the adjacent side wall 12 if the unit block14 is not exactly 1.25 inches (35 mm) deep, which can sometimes be thecase. Unit blocks 14 are not controlled by any one manufacturer, and arebased on a set of standards for which there is no internationallyrecognized tolerance. In many cases, unit blocks 14 made by differentmanufacturers may be as much as 2.5 millimeters off in any direction.Thus, the gasket 16 serves to accommodate for this variance indimension.

The gasket 16 can be made of different materials, but is presentlycontemplated as being made from a soft plastic such as polypropylene, orPP, which allows for greater flexibility as opposed to a more brittle,hard plastic such as ABS. The slot 30, or channel, on the inside surface18 of the side walls 12 of the plastic parts/sections A, B, C, D canhave an overhanging lip 32 that the side edges 34 of the gasket 16 slideinto, which can give it a friction fit, or compression fit. If desired,an adhesive can also be used to further secure the gasket 16 in place,to be less likely to accidentally become dislodged from the channel/slot30.

An important feature of the gasket mechanism 16 is that it can be usedover and over by a child as they slip the parts A, B, C, D on and off ofthe unit blocks 14 without the gasket 16 wearing down and giving way sothat they no longer providing a comfortable fit. The firmness of theengagement of the gaskets 16 with the unit block 14 can be designed sothat a toddler-aged child can easily slide the plastic pieces/parts A,B, C, D onto unit blocks 14 of varying thicknesses, yet not have plasticpieces A, B, C, D too easily become disengaged from the unit blocks 14.Consequently, the pressure exerted to slide the plastic pieces A, B, C,D onto the unit blocks 14 should not be so great as to frustrate a childin their inability to slide the pieces A, B, C, D onto, or off of, theunit block 14.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the interior dimension of the plasticpieces A, B, C, D can be sized at 35.5 mm, and the dome-shaped membrane20 can extend 1.5 mm outward from the inside surface 18 of theassociated side walls 12. Each gasket 16 is positioned in the slot 30 onthe inside surface 18 of the side walls 12, and allows for flexibilityof approximately 0.5 mm, as the membrane 20 can be forced inwards with aslight amount of pressure. Consequently, with one gasket 16 on eachopposing side wall 12, the part A, B, C, D can accommodate a unit block14 with a maximum dimension of 36.5 mm. In the static uncompressedposition, each of the pair of gaskets 16 each extend outward 1.5 mm,which provide a minimum interior dimension of 32.5 mm, i.e., 35.5 mmless 3.0 mm total.

Unit blocks 14 are commonly cut using a band saw, then sanded prior tofinishing. As a result, it is also likely that some unit blocks 14 willbe slightly smaller than the standard dimension. Thus, the gaskets 16are also designed to provide a sufficient grip on a smaller thanstandard size unit block 14, in the event the block 14 was less than thestandard size of 35 mm, which can often be the case.

Therefore, what has been described above includes exemplary embodimentsof a unit block toy 10 adapted to compensate for slight size variations.It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combinationof components or methodologies for purposes of this description, and oneof ordinary skill in the art may recognize that further combinations andpermutations are possible in light of the overall teaching of thisdisclosure. Accordingly, the description provided herein is intended tobe illustrative only, and should be considered to embrace any and allalterations, modifications, and/or variations that fall within thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. A unit block toy adapted to compensate for slight size variations,comprising: a. a pair of opposed side walls adapted to be disposed overat least a portion of a unit block; and b. a gasket associated with aninside surface of at least one of said pair of opposed side walls, saidgasket adapted to compensate for slight size variations in said unitblock.
 2. The unit block toy of claim 1 wherein said gasket comprises amembrane having a concave side and a convex side, and said concave sidepositioned adjacent said inside surface such that a space is formedbetween said membrane and said inside surface, wherein said gasketcompensates for slight size variations in the unit block viadisplacement of said membrane towards said inside surface.
 3. The unitblock toy of claim 1 further comprising a slot in said inside surface,and wherein said gasket is disposed in said slot.
 4. The unit block toyof claim 1 further comprising a pair of gaskets, wherein one of saidpair of gaskets being associated with a respective one of said pair ofopposed side walls.
 5. A part for a unit block toy having a unit block,comprising: a. a pair of opposed side walls adapted to be disposed overat least a portion of the unit block; and b. a gasket associated with aninside surface of at least one of said pair of opposed side walls, saidgasket adapted to compensate for slight size variations in the unitblock.
 6. The part of claim 5 wherein said gasket comprises a membranehaving a concave side and a convex side, and said concave sidepositioned adjacent said inside surface such that a space is formedbetween said membrane and said inside surface, wherein said gasketcompensates for slight size variations in the unit block viadisplacement of said membrane towards said inside surface.
 7. The partof claim 5 further comprising a slot in said inside surface, and whereinsaid gasket is disposed in said slot.
 8. The part of claim 5 furthercomprising a pair of gaskets, wherein one of said pair of gaskets beingassociated with a respective one of said pair of opposed side walls. 9.The part of claim 5 wherein the gasket is made of a resilient material.10. The part of claim 5 wherein the gasket comprises at least one slit.11. The part of claim 7 wherein: said slot includes a pair of lips; saidgasket includes a pair of side edges, each of said side edges engaginglyslideable within each of said lips.